Companies in Sedgwick County are responsible for more than 60 percent of the
world's general aviation aircraft, but Wichita's diverse exports reach well
beyond airplanes. Manufacturers here produce everything from motorcycles to
computer storage devices, earning Sedgwick County companies the Kansas Exporter
of the Year Award for the past two years. Residents boast the excellent quality
of life here, which was recognized by Forbes magazine when Wichita
was named "the cheapest place in the country to get a great house in an upscale
neighborhood along with things like luxury cars and private schools."
| Sedgwick County | Wichita MSA |
| Population, July 2004 | 463,802 | 584,671 |
| Population growth, 1990-2000 | 12.2% | 12.7% |
| Land area (sq. mi.), 2000 | 999 | 4,145 |
| Households, 2000 | 176,444 | 220,440 |
| Homeownership rate, 2000 | 66.2% | |
| Median age, 2000 | 33.6 | 34.1 |
| High school grads, 2000 | 85.1% | 85.3% |
| College grads, 2000 | 25.4% | 24.7% |
| Labor force, 2004 | 243,225 | 304,798 |
| Unemployment rate, 2004 | 6.2% | 5.9% |
| Public school enrollment, 2004-05 | 78,691 | 103,298 |
| High school graduates, 2004 | 4,160 | 5,726 |
| Median household income, 1999 | $42,485 | $42,651 |
| Percapita income, 1999 | $20,907 | $20,692 |
| Retail sales (thousands), 1997 | 4,265,426 | 4,870,965 |
| Business 2003 |
Firms |
11,591 |
14,252 |
| Employment |
238,721 |
274,608 |
| Avg. weekly wage |
$665 |
$522 |
| |
|
|
|
| Mfg. business 2003 |
Firms |
615 |
767 |
| Employment |
52,363 |
58,420 |
| Avg. weekly wage |
$993 |
$767 |
| Major employers |
Cessna Aircraft Co.
Spirit Aerosystems Inc.
Raytheon Aircraft Co.
Via Christi Health Systems
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Wichita
Bombardier Aerospace Learjet
Koch Industries Inc.
Wesley Medical Center
York International
The Coleman Company
|
| Largest school districts |
Wichita
Derby
Maize
Haysville
Goddard
|
Wichita
Derby
Maize
Haysville
Goddard
|
Sources: Kansas
State Department of Education for public school enrollment
and graduates; Kansas
Department of Labor for labor force, unemployment,
businesses, employees and wages; Journal
Communications for major employers; and U.S.
Census Bureau for all other data. |
